Johannes Somary, 1935-2011, composer and conductor of Amor Artis Chorale

SOMARY–Johannes, died on February 1st at age 75 from complications following a stroke. The community mourns deeply the loss of a brilliant musician, dedicated teacher, devoted husband, loving father, and proud grandfather. He is survived by his wife Anne, his children Stephen, Geoffrey, and Karen, his brother Wolfgang, his sister Maria, and seven grandchildren. The Funeral Mass was held at 12 noon on Saturday February 5 at Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, Park Ave., and 84th St., New York City.

 

In 1961 Johannes Somary founded Amor Artis Chorale in 1961, which he conducted in much Baroque music, and continued to be its Musical Director until his death. He was also conductor of the Fairfield County Chorale from 1975, the Great Neck Choral Society from 1982, the Taghkanic Chorale from 1992, and Choirmaster and Organist at the Church of Our Saviour in New York.

 

Johannes Somary achieved a prominent international career. He led the USA premieres of Georg Frideric Handel’s Esther in 1961, Theodora in 1963, and Susanna in 1965. He was also a guest conductor in the USA and Europe, conducting such ensembles as the English Chamber Orchestra, New Orleans Symphony, and London’s Royal Philharmonic. He participated in many international festivals including those in Sion, Dubrovnik, Madeira, Israel, and Greece. He worked with such renowned singers as Elly Ameling, Sheila Armstrong, Maureen Forrester, Ernst Haefliger, Benjamin Luxon, Felicity Palmer, and John Shirley-Quirk, and with such well-known instrumentalists as David Bar-Ilan, Garrick Ohlsson, Aaron Rosand, and Dizzy Gillespie. 

 

Johannes Somary taught and lectured at Brooklyn College, the New School of Social Research and the New England Conservatory. From 1971 he was chairman of the arts and music department at the Horace Mann School in New York. He composed orchestral works, choral pieces, songs, and chamber music. His works have been performed in the USA and abroad.

 

Johannes Somary’s discography claims over fifty recordings, including four Stereo Review Record-of-the-Year Awards.